Urban Wildlife Management, Second Edition

Texas A&M University, College Station, USA Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

Introduction: A New Wildlife Management Paradigm


Part I


Urban Landscapes


Chapter One


Wildlife Management: Past and Present


Key Concepts


A Brief History of Wildlife Management in North America


Rise of the American Conservation Movement


Changing Wildlife Values


A New Kind of Wildlife


Categorizing Wildlife


The Unique Ecology and Behavior of Urban Wildlife


Special Challenges for Wildlife Management within Urban Settings


Urban Ecosystems


Urban Habitats


Sociopolitical Factors


Special Management Considerations


An Urban Species of Special Interest: The Raccoon (Procyon lotor)


Pet Raccoons


Raccoon Economics


Raccoons as Disease Vectors


The Urban Raccoon


Diet


Denning


Population Densities


Species Profile: Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Two


The Changing Landscape of Wildlife Management


Key Concepts


Demographic Factors That Set the Stage for Urban Wildlife Management


The Separation of People and Nature


The Need for Wildlife Management in Urban Areas


The Need for Public Education Programs About Urban Wildlife


Outcomes of Human-Wildlife Encounters


Urbanites Need to Reconnect With the Natural World


Urban Wildlife Species Are Increasing, Sometimes to Nuisance Levels


Some Insights into the Magnitude of Urban Wildlife Problems


Urban Species of Most Concern: National Analysis to


Urban Species of Most Concern: Regional Analysis to


Economic Impact of Damage to Resources by Urban Wildlife: National Overview


Economic Impact of Damage to Resources by Urban Wildlife: Regional Overview


Urban Habitats as a Dominant Focus of Wildlife Professionals


The Infrastructure for Urban Wildlife Management Is Missing


Case Study : Neighborhood Moose Killed by Kindness


Species Profile: Bobcat (Lynx rufus)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Part II


Urban Ecosystems


Chapter Three


Ecological Principles in the Urban Context


Key Concepts


Ecological Principles


Diversity


Interrelationships


Cycles


Energy


Ecosystem Structure


Abiotic Structure


Biotic Structure


Food Chains and Webs


Symbiotic Relationships


Biotic Communities


Urban Flora


Urban Fauna


Ecosystem Function


Biogeochemical Cycles


Energy


Thermodynamics and Conservation of Matter


Ecological Succession


Ecosystem Services


Species Profile: Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Four


Urban Soils


Key Concepts


Introduction


Soil Formation


Soil Structure


Soil Horizons


Soil Functions


Soil Biota and Their Functions


Impacts of Urbanization on Soil Structure and Function


Structure Modification: Compaction and Surface Crusting


Modified Soil Reaction


Anthropogenic Materials


Increased Soil Temperatures


Taking Better Care of Urban Soil


Urban Wildlife Management Implications


Species Profile: Moles (Talpidae spp )


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Five


Urban Waters


Key Concepts


Introduction


The Flow of Water through an Urban Community


Sources


Uses


Discharge


Recycle


The Water Cycle—Nature’s Filter


The Transpiration Loop


The Groundwater Loop


The Evaporation Loop


Caring For the Water Cycle


Riparian Corridors: Streams and Rivers


Abiotic Effects of Urbanization on Riparian Ecology


Pollutants


Stream Channelization


Biotic Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecology


The Aquatic Food Chain


Fish as Indicator Species


Restoration of Riparian Habitats


Urban Wetlands


Water Gardens


Constructed Wetlands


Urban (Community) Fisheries Programs


Summary


Species Profile: American Beaver (Castor canadensis)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Six


Principles of Population Dynamics


Key Concepts


Introduction


Survival


Adaptations


Density


Factors Affecting Population Densities


How Populations Grow


Population Growth Rate Patterns


Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Population Dynamics


Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Population Dynamics


Effects of Animal Damage Control Activities on Population Dynamics


Effects of Environmental Pollutants on Wildlife Population Dynamics


Species Profile: Tree Squirrels (Sciurus spp )


Chapter Activity


Literature Cited


PART III


URBAN HABITATS AND HAZARDS


Chapter Seven


Urban Green Spaces


Key Concepts


Introduction


Green Spaces


Remnant Habitat Patches


Successional Habitat Patches


Managed Habitat Patches


Cemeteries


Golf Courses


Nature Centers


Rural versus Urban Wildlife Populations


Species Profile: Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)


Acknowledgment


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Eight


Urban Gray Spaces


Key Concepts


Introduction


Buildings, Windows, and Towers


Buildings


Windows


Communication Towers


Wind Towers


Roads and Highways


Animal Mortality


Overpasses, Underpasses, and Escape Routes


Structural Design Considerations


Bridges, Birds, and Bats


Landfills, Dumpsters, and Garbage Cans


Organic Waste Accumulations: A Concept Unique to Urban Ecosystems


Factors That Promote the Presence of Wildlife at Landfills


Standards Used in Landfill Siting


Types of Habitats Found in and around Landfills


Human-Wildlife Conflicts at Landfills


Wildlife Management at Landfills


Airports


Standards for Airport Siting and Zoning


Types of Habitats Found in and around Airports


Wildlife Species Attracted to Airport Habitats


Human-Wildlife Interactions at Airports


Wildlife Management Priorities at Airports


Species Profile: Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


PART IV


SOCIOPOLITICAL ISSUES


Chapter Nine


Human Dimensions in Urban Wildlife Management


Key Concepts


Introduction


The "People Factor"


Conducting Human Dimensions Research


Surveying Wildlife Recreationists


The Role of Human Dimensions in Urban Wildlife Management


Public Participation in Wildlife-Associated Recreation


Wildlife Values


Quality of Life Issues


Human-Wildlife Conflict Issues


HD Methods for Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts


Case Study : Ducks and Traffic


An Urban Species of Special Concern: Urban Coyotes (Canis latrans)


What Is an Urban Coyote?


Range Expansion


Coping with Coyotes—Management Plans


Coyote Economics


Coyote Control Considerations


Species Profile: American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Ten


Working with Urban Stakeholders


Key Concepts


Inviting Everyone to the Table


The Policy Life Cycle


What (and Who) Is a Stakeholder?


The Changing Face of Wildlife Stakeholders


A Guide to Major Stakeholders


Government (Public Sector)


Federal


Tribal Governments


State and Territorial Governments


Local Governments


Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)


Academic Institutions


The Public


Case Study : Stakeholders Disagree on Best Approach for Managing Fallow Deer


Species Profile: Black Bear (Ursus americanus)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Eleven


Legal Aspects of Urban Wildlife Management


Key Concepts


Wildlife Law


Federal Laws


The Lacey Act of


The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of


The Animal Damage Control Act of


The Endangered Species Act of


State Laws


County and Municipal Laws


Local Ordinances


Who Is in Charge Here?


Protecting the Health and Safety of All


Case Study : Operation Remove Excrement


Species Profile: Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


PART V


SPECIAL MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS


Chapter Twelve


The Ecology and Management Considerations of Selected Species


Key Concepts


Introduction


Endangered Species


Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis)


San Joaquin Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica)


Florida Key Deer (Odocoileu virginianus clavium)


Introduced Species


House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)


Nutria (Myocastor coypus)


Feral Species


Pigeons (Columba livia)


Free-Ranging Domestic Cats (Felis catus)


Free-Ranging Hogs (Sus scrofa)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Thirteen


Zoonoses and Management Considerations


Key Concepts


What Are Zoonoses?


Parasitic Diseases


Protozoa


Helminths


Trematodes (Flukes)


Cestodes (Tapeworms)


Nematodes (Roundworms)


Mycotic Diseases


Aspergillosis


Histoplasmosis


Bacterial Diseases


Plague


Tularemia


Viral Diseases


Rabies


Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)


West Nile Virus (WNV)


Prion Diseases


Bovine spongiform encephalopathy


Scrapie


Chronic Wasting Disease


Species Profile: American Robin (Turdus migratorius Linnaeus)


Chapter Activities


Literature Cited


Chapter Fourteen


Distribution, Abundance, and Management Considerations of Resident Canada Geese and Urban White-Tailed Deer


Key Concepts


Introduction


Factors That Contributed To Geese and Deer Abundance in Urban America


Extent of the Problem: A National Assessment of Human-White-Tailed Deer and Canada


Geese Conflicts


Objectives and Questions Included in the National Assessment


Results of the National Assessment


Management Implications of the National Assessment


Distribution of Resident Canada Geese and White-Tailed Deer in the Continental United States


The Human Response to Resident Canada Geese and Urban White-Tailed Deer


Ecological Impacts of Resident Canada Geese and Urban White-Tailed Deer


Health and Safety Issues Related to Resident Canada Geese and Urban White-Tailed Deer


White-Tailed Deer and Lyme Disease


Feasible and Acceptable Management Strategies for Overabundant Resident Canada Geese


Avoiding the Problem


Getting at the Root Cause


Attack the Symptoms


Do Nothing


Summary


Case Study : A Tale of Two Cities


The Two Cities


The Citizen Survey


Questionnaire Development


The Response


Educational Program Development


Chapter Activity


Literature Cited


Index